Gram stood there, her bright red lips smiling broadly. “I’m home, girls!”
“Gram! You’re early.” Maddy jumped up from the couch and went to embrace her grandma. The woman felt slight in Maddy’s arms, but Gram had always known how to give a sturdy hug.
Maddy stood back while her sisters greeted their grandmother. Louise Monroe still wore her silver-white hair short and wispy around her face. She sported a new pair of blue tortoiseshell glasses that accentuated her clear blue eyes. Her face was creased with age, her eyes hooded, but Maddy thought she was still beautiful, even at eighty-three.
“You didn’t think I was going to miss all the excitement, did you? I found an earlier flight and flew standby.”
“Well, how on earth did you get here?” Nora shelved her hands on her slender hips. “I was going to pick you up from the airport.”
“I had an Uber come fetch me. Such a nice young man. We chatted about travel. He’s lived in Austria and Uganda and Cambodia. My, oh my, did he have some stories to tell. Can you imagine?”
“But, Gram,” Maddy said, “don’t you have to have a cell phone to Uber?”
Gram whipped a phone from her purse. “Ta-da! I’m in the modern age now, girls. Erma’s granddaughter, Lila, hooked me up with an iPhone yesterday!”
Maddy laughed. “Hooked you up?”
“That’s what the kids are saying nowadays. Lila fixed me up with the Uber app, and some nice young lady at the airport helped me figure it out. I didn’t want to bother you for a ride. I knew you were busy preparing for the storm. And besides, I wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you certainly did,” Emma said.
“Look at you girls, you all look so beautiful.” Gram set her purse on the coffee table, glancing down at Pippy. “Well, who’s this little cutie-pie?” She stooped to pet the dog, whose back end wagged gleefully. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing?”
“She’s Emma’s,” Maddy said. “She’s a good girl; just don’t let her out without a leash. She’s the most curious dog I ever did meet.”
Emma picked up Pippy. “And she has the sense of direction of a blind bat, I’m afraid. On top of that, she thinks she’s the size of a Rottweiler. She has no fear, do you, little girl?”
Pippy yipped, and Emma gave her some love.
Maddy fetched their grandmother’s suitcase, and once they assured her they had storm preparations under control, the women settled in the living room with glasses of iced tea and began catching up.
It was apparent Gram had had a fabulous time at her reunion. Her face was aglow, and despite a long travel day, she exuded energy. Her girlfriends normally came out to see her in Seahaven every summer, but this year she’d headed their direction. The trip had obviously done her good.
“I had the time of my life, I tell you. That Eleanor got me on the back of her grandson’s motorcycle!”
“Gram!” Nora said. “That’s not safe.”
Gram waved away her words. “Oh, pooh! I had a grand time. We went to a festival and ate all the wrong foods, played cards till late at night, and giggled like teenagers. I’m telling you, I haven’t had so much fun in ages.”
“I’m happy for you, Gram,” Maddy said. “But heavens, a motorcycle? I’m afraid to ask what else you did.”
“Oh, you only live once.” Gram shifted in her favorite leather chair, crossing legs that were encased in a trendy pair of jeans. “Now tell me what’s been going on around here. I noticed all the changes outside. The house looks marvelous. The flower beds haven’t looked so nice in years, and the handrail didn’t wobble as I came up the stairs!”
“Connor fixed that,” Maddy said. “He’s been helping out quite a bit around here.”
Gram gave her a coy smile. “I imagine he has, with my three beautiful granddaughters ensconced in this old house. He’s no fool, that man.”
Emma laughed. “He only has eyes for Maddy, I’m afraid.”
Gram’s eyes twinkled as they swung to Maddy. “Oh, this sounds juicy—do tell!”
Maddy’s face grew warm under Gram’s scrutiny. “Connor’s a very special man. I’ve grown quite fond of him.”
“Well, he’s got good taste in women, I’ll tell you that. And a finer boy you won’t find.” Gram clasped her age-spotted hands in her lap. “But I thought you were seeing a boy at that fancy restaurant where you work—Nick, is it?”
Maddy gave a wan smile. “That didn’t exactly work out. He didn’t turn out to be the man I thought he was.”
“He’s a turd,” Emma said vehemently.
“Emma!” Maddy said as the girls laughed.
“Well, he is,” Emma said. “He cheated on her, Gram. She’s lucky to be rid of him.”
“Oh dear. I’m so sorry, honey, but it sounds as though your sister’s right.” Gram aimed an eager look at Maddy, all but rubbing her hands together. “Now on to the good stuff—you and Connor. Don’t you leave out a single thing.”
Maddy laughed. “We’ve only had one date, Gram. There’s not a whole lot to tell just yet.”
“That’s only half the story,” Emma said. “He’s been over here helping on the house nearly every night. And last night I happened to glance out back, and there was some serious kissing going on out there.”
Maddy gasped. “Emma!”
“Well, there was. I wasn’t spying, but goodness gracious!” Emma fanned her face.
“He’s a good kisser, is he, Maddy?” Gram said. “You know, a man who kisses well is also good in the sack.”
“Gram!” All three sisters giggled uncomfortably.
“Well, that’s what I hear anyway. Best thing about getting old, girls, is you can say whatever you darn well please. I’m quite liking it.” She nailed Maddy with an eager look. “Now . . . are you falling in love with Connor, dear? He’s a widower, you know. Been sad as a puppy dog from the day I met him. But I’ll bet you’ve put the twinkle right back in his eyes.”
Maddy laughed. She’d forgotten how full of vim and vinegar her grandma was. And yes, she was definitely falling for Connor. She had all the signs: her heart beat faster when she was with him, she got a little flutter in her belly when a text came from him, and she longed to be with him. But she preferred to keep her emotions private, at least for now.
“It’s too early to say,” Maddy said. “But he seems like a real sweetheart.”
“I’m sure he’ll be over tonight,” Nora said. “You can see them in action, Gram.”
“Wonderful!” Gram leaned toward Maddy. “Did you notice his arms? Those muscles! I’ve never seen such fine arms.”
“Gram!” Emma laughed. “You’re not supposed to notice such things.”
“And whyever not? I have eyes in my head, don’t I? These days girls are always going on about six-pack abs, but I’ve always been an arm girl myself—and hands! Good hands are highly underrated, I think.”
The girls exchanged grins. It was so good to have Gram back home.
“Did Grandpa have nice arms, Gram?” Nora asked.
Their grandma’s smile dimmed a bit. She took a sip of her tea, the ice clinking as she drained it. “Oh, he did, honey. He surely did. Now, would anyone like more tea? I’m so parched from all that dry airplane air.”
Chapter 30
The girls showed Gram around the house, and she oohed and aahed over the newly painted walls, the freshly cleaned draperies, and the spotless attic.
“Why, I’d forgotten there was a wood floor up here. It must’ve taken you days to go through all that junk.”
“It wasn’t all junk,” Nora said. “We have a couple boxes of things we thought you’d like to keep.”
“We never knew you used to model bathing suits,” Emma said.
Gram waved her words away. “Just for a local clothing company. Oh my, those were the days. They let me keep those suits—that’s how I was paid for modeling.”
“You were gorgeous,” Maddy said as they made their way down from the attic. “I’ll bet you had all the
boys swooning.”
“Your grandfather had a bit of competition, I’ll admit. I only had eyes for him, however.”
Maddy wondered at the hint of melancholy in her last words. A text buzzed in and she checked the screen. It was Connor—and there was that little flutter in her belly.
How’s it going? Do you need help getting the house ready?
No, it’s under control. Guess what? Gram came home early. ☺
That’s terrific! Very busy here getting ready for the storm. Chaos!
I’ll bet! Don’t worry about us. We’re on top of things.
I might have to work late. I’ll try and stop over later.
Sounds good.
See you then. XO
Maddy smiled at the X and O as she pocketed her phone. They were headed to Gram’s room next, where they’d stashed the things they thought Gram might like to keep.
“There’s a box of Daddy’s things,” Nora said. “We haven’t gone through it yet.”
“We wanted to wait for you.” Maddy gave Gram a side hug.
“That’s so sweet. Your mother sent me some things after he passed. I don’t know that I ever went through the box. I was too heartbroken at the time. I just stuck it upstairs, out of sight.”
They sat on the bed, and Nora set the cardboard box in the middle. A sense of eagerness filled Maddy. She’d only been a child when her dad passed away. Maybe sorting through his belongings would give her a better sense of who he was.
“How are things going with your mother?” Gram asked. “Do you see her often?”
“Not really,” Maddy said. “She calls now and then, and I see her when she comes to Charlotte, once a year or so. We’ll never be as close as we used to be, I guess.”
“She’s got her own life now in Georgia,” Nora said. “We message on Facebook every now and then.”
Emma pulled the box closer. “Her life seems pretty full, from what I can tell. Her husband has a couple grandkids, and she seems to dote on them.”
“If you ask me,” Gram said, “I think she misses her girls.”
Bless Gram’s heart. She was always playing peacemaker. Maddy wished the role came as naturally to her.
“How can you take up for her, Gram?” Nora said, her voice full of exasperation. “She was awful to Daddy that night. It’s the reason he was so upset. If she hadn’t made him leave . . .”
“She was going to divorce him,” Emma said. “It was what she wanted—not him. She told us so herself. Daddy worked so hard so she could stay home with us girls. He was always exhausted, traveling all over the state, trying to provide for us, and she obviously didn’t appreciate it. No wonder his heart gave out—and at only forty-seven!”
“Oh, girls,” Gram said with a heavy sigh.
“I know you just want peace in the family, Gram,” Maddy said gently. “But it’s just not going to work out the way you want it to.”
“I’ve forgiven her,” Nora said. “Isn’t that enough?”
“I have too.” Maddy put a hand over her grandmother’s. “But sometimes, with certain people, you need to set boundaries.”
“Exactly,” Emma said. “A little emotional distance can be healthy. We all still have a relationship with her. We’re just not as close as you might like us to be.”
Gram’s face had fallen, and she suddenly looked every one of her eighty-three years. Maddy felt bad for bringing her down, but she wasn’t going to sugarcoat the truth. Her mom was culpable for their family’s demise. It was the one thing all three sisters agreed on.
Nora reached into the box and pulled out a paperback novel. Michael Crichton’s Airframe. “Look. A page is dog-eared.”
“I guess Daddy never got to finish it.” For some reason that made Maddy’s gut twist. There were so many things their father had never gotten to finish.
Emma pulled out a watch and clutched it to her chest. “Oh, it’s his watch. Would you mind if I kept this, Gram? It’s just a quartz, but I remember him wearing it.”
“Of course not, honey. You girls take anything you like.”
Emma pulled out a wallet, and Maddy watched as she opened it. The faded black leather creaked with age. It was empty. The sight filled Maddy with a vague sense of disappointment.
Emma set it in the growing pile on the bed.
“His fishing hat,” Maddy said, pulling the beige floppy-brimmed hat from the box. It was crushed and creased, the chin cord frayed. “I can still see him in that old fishing boat of his, wearing this old thing.”
“He was so happy when he was fishing,” Emma said.
Nora gave a wry laugh. “Remember the fuss Mama used to put up about the fishy smell when he returned?”
“He had to undress on the deck and go straight to the shower,” Emma said. “Heaven forbid he bring that smell inside.”
“Girls,” Gram chided.
“It’s true, though,” Maddy said.
“Your mother had—and has—many fine qualities. As I recall, your father did reek when he returned from fishing. He wasn’t perfect, you know.”
Properly chastised, the girls went back to the box, pulling out a few photos from happier summers and crayon-covered construction paper—pictures the girls had drawn, mostly Maddy. She’d loved drawing him pictures. He’d praised her creativity, then hung the artwork on the refrigerator for all to see.
There were a lot of meaningless things in the box too: financial papers, paycheck stubs, a few pieces of clothing. Nothing Maddy remembered him wearing. Her mother must’ve taken the rest of his things to Goodwill. The thought left her hollow.
A few minutes later Gram pulled out the last item in the box. It was only an old pair of readers.
Disappointment flooded through Maddy. What had she expected to find anyway? Answers? Comfort? Peace? It was just a bunch of useless mementos, most of which she didn’t even recognize.
Maybe she’d only wanted to recall him afresh. Her favorite memories had faded like an old Polaroid. She could hardly even remember what he looked like sometimes. And the images she called to mind always resembled the photos she had of him.
But she remembered how loved and special he made her feel. That was what she needed to hang on to.
“It’s hard to believe this is all that’s left of him,” Emma said, and Maddy realized the others must share her feelings.
“There had to be more than this.” Nora sounded exasperated. “Just one box of things? Where are all the photos?”
“Mama probably pitched it all out,” Maddy said with a heavy sigh.
Gram’s lips pressed together as she began placing the items back inside the box. A strange tension hung in the air.
Maddy traded looks with Nora and Emma. They clearly felt it too. Maybe they shouldn’t have stirred up all these memories for Gram. Daddy had been her only child, after all. Death had cruelly stolen both her husband and only child within five years.
Maddy caught sight of a photo in the folds of the bedding. She picked it up and turned it over. She hadn’t seen this one. It must’ve fluttered out in the shuffle as they’d gone through the box.
It was Daddy with a woman. He had his arm around her in a very familiar—and affectionate—way. Her dad looked to be in his forties, and Maddy didn’t recognize the pretty woman. A terrible foreboding settled inside.
“Gram?” She held out the photo. “Who’s this with Daddy?”
Gram’s eyes settled on the photo. Her face fell, her jaw going slack. The picture trembled in her age-spotted hands.
A long moment passed, the bad feeling inside Maddy swelling. “Gram?”
Gram closed her eyes, her lips moving a bit as if she were praying.
The girls exchanged worried glances.
“Gram, are you all right?” Nora asked finally.
Their grandmother lowered the photo and gave the sisters, each one of them, a pointed look. “No. I am not all right.”
Emma set her hand over Gram’s. “What’s wrong? Who is that?”
�
�I’ll tell you what’s wrong. You girls have it all wrong about your mom and dad. I’ve kept it to myself for all these years, thinking I was doing right by Stanley, but I just can’t do it anymore. It’s not right.”
Maddy felt a terrible foreboding in her gut. “What’s not right?”
Gram looked from one of her granddaughters to the other, her lips firm, her face resolute. “Your father loved you girls very much. As much as a man can love his children—I have no doubt about that, and I don’t want you to either.”
“Of course not, Gram,” Emma said.
“We know that,” Nora said.
“But he wasn’t perfect.” Gram’s eyes went glassy as she covered her mouth with trembling fingers. “Oh, he was far from perfect.”
Nora pulled the box from the bed and set it on the floor. “What are you trying to say, Gram?”
Uneasiness stirred inside Maddy. She had the childish urge to put her hands over her ears. She had a terrible feeling that whatever Gram was about to say would forever change her perspective of her father. She had wanted to know him better. But had she really wanted to know the truth? Suddenly she wasn’t sure.
“You know he traveled a lot for his job. He was gone so much.” Gram shook her head. “I was against his taking that job. It’s not good for a man to be away from his family so much.
“But it was good money, and it allowed your mom and dad to have the lifestyle they wanted. As the years went by, I thought I must’ve been wrong. Your mom and dad seemed more or less fine with the arrangement, and you girls were thriving.”
Gram’s eyes teared up, and she gave them a look of despair. “But things aren’t always as they seem. Girls . . . I’m afraid your dad met somebody on one of his trips.”
Maddy’s breath left her body. No. He didn’t.
The girls traded looks of disbelief.
“He— Are you saying Daddy had an affair?” Emma asked. “No, he wouldn’t do that. He loved Mama.”
“He did,” Gram said. “He seemed happy with your mother. But humans are oh-so-fallible, girls. Sometimes we do things that defy logic or explanation.”
“How long did it go on?” Nora asked.
Summer by the Tides Page 20
